William Abbott Obituary

Jan 16, 1935 - Dec 16, 2012

William (Billy) Thomas Abbott was born on 16 January 1935 in Vancouver, during a snow storm, at Grace Hospital. Bill's grandfather, Fred Abbott, came to Vancouver in 1897 from Newfoundland. Both his father, William John Abbott, and his mother, Betsy (Hastie) Abbott, were born in Vancouver. Bill attended Sir William Van Horne Elementary School, John Oliver Secondary School, the Vancouver School of Art, and UBC. He began his long teaching career in the fall of 1960 in Campbell River. For the next thirty-six years, he taught art in School District 72: CARIHI Secondary School, Phoenix Middle School, and Southgate Secondary School. He retired to West Vancouver where, for a number of years, he volunteered teaching art to seniors. He was an artist throughout his life. During his teenage years, he was a regular at weekly figure drawing sessions at a studio behind a barber shop at Broadway & Cambie. During his retirement years, he drew at the figure drawing sessions at Basic Inquiry at Main & Terminal. Even in hospital, Bill was still sketching. He leaves behind his loving wife, Patsy, of 52 years. They met in 1st year PE at UBC, at a time when the course was still obligatory of all students. Bill and Patsy loved to travel. They visited many places in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and all around North America. Several years ago, they visited Newfoundland to see where his grandfather came from. The most recent trips were Syria, the Black Mountains of Tennessee, and the Copper Canyon of Mexico. Bill always came home with new watercolour sketches. Bill and Patsy loved to camp around the Skagit Valley of Washington State during the summer. Again, he always came back with sketches and watercolours. Bill leaves behind his loving family: Patsy, David, Alexandra Emlyn (Rob), Rebecca, Kate, Juliet, Rosemary Van Heukelom (Andy), Willy, Morgan, Skyler, Holly. Farley - the dog, and Molly - the cat. Bill was a wonderful, caring, and artistic husband, father and grandfather. Bill died on 16 December 2012 of pancreatic cancer. A special thanks to Dr. Peter Schwarz for his care and compassion. Also, thanks to the nurses in the Palliative Care Ward at Lionsgate Hospital. Bill was going on outings up to a week before his death. And, he was talking art, as always, in his hospital bed. In lieu of flowers, please generously donate to your local food bank this holiday season.

Published by North Shore News from Dec. 19 to Dec. 27, 2012.

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Memories and Condolences
for William Abbott

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7 Entries

Pat & I were sorry to hear of your loss. We have fond memories of talking about travel plans when you both visited us at the laundromat.

Jim & Pat Rogers

January 2, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

December 25, 2012

I am deeply sorry for your loss. I give my sympathies. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Hope in him and may your heart be strong. Psalm 27:14

December 24, 2012

I was shocked and so deeply saddened to hear the news just now. Mr Abbott (WT) was such a terrific man. So kind and generous, with a super sense of humour. What a great guy. My sincere thoughts and best wishes to the entire family at this very difficult time,

Mark Madryga

December 23, 2012

Thinking of all of you while remembering all my wonderful childhood memories of my time spent in your home.

Susan (McDonald) Smith

December 22, 2012

God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found in times of distress.

Marie M

December 21, 2012

My heart goes out to the family...

December 19, 2012

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Memorial Events
for William Abbott

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